How to Take Fever?

You can measure fever orally with a mercury thermometer. This is the standard piece for temperature taking and is most convenient as well. The thermometer is kept under the back of the tongue for 3-5 minutes to take the temperature. Fever can be taken rectally with the same instrument. Rectal temperatures are generally one degree higher than oral temperature and this temperature is closer to the body core temperature. Fever taken by measuring temperature in the axillary region, or under the arm, is the least accurate. Axillary temperatures are usually 1°F less than oral temperature. So if you take temperature in the axillary region add one degree, and if rectally, subtract one degree.

Ear canal temperatures can be taken to measure fever. It is taken with an infrared probe and currently these devices are becoming increasingly popular. But if you have an existing ear infection/condition (otitis media), the fever reading can be wrong.

According to experts fever strips are not recommended. The temperature readings with fever strips are not as accurate as other methods.

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